It is hereby declared a matter of public policy that the protection,
enhancement, perpetuation and use of improvements or sites of special character
or special architectural or historic interest or value is a public necessity
and is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety and welfare
of the people. The purpose of this chapter is to:
(1) Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement, and
perpetuation of such improvements, sites and districts which represent or
reflect elements of the Village's cultural, social, economic, political and
architectural history.
(2) Safeguard the Village's historic and cultural heritage,
as embodied and reflected in such historic structures, sites and districts.
(3) Stabilize and improve property values and enhance the
visual and aesthetic character of the Village.
(4) Protect and enhance the Village's attractions to residents,
tourists and visitors and serve as a support and stimulus to business and
industry.
(5) Educate the public regarding the need and desirability
of the Village's historic preservation program and its enhancement of the
quality of life.
The definitions shall be as follows:
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
The certificate issued by the Commission approving alteration, rehabilitation,
construction, reconstruction, or demolition of an historic structure or historic
site or any improvement in an historic district.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
An area designated by the Village Board on recommendation of the
Commission that contains two or more historic improvements or sites.
HISTORIC SITE
Any parcel of land of historic significance due to a substantial
value in tracing the history or prehistory of man, or upon which an historic
event has occurred, and which has been designated as an historic site under
this chapter, or an improvement of a parcel, or part thereof, on which is
situated an historic structure.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
Any improvement which has a special character or special historic
interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics
of the Village, state or nation and which has been designated as an historic
structure pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
IMPROVEMENT
Any building, structure, place, work of art or other object constituting
a physical betterment of real property, or any part of such betterment.
No building permit shall be issued by the Director of Inspection Services
for alteration, construction, demolition or removal of a nominated historic
structure, historic site or any property or structure within a nominated historic
district from the date of the meeting of the Commission at which a nomination
form is first presented until the final disposition of the nomination by the
Commission and the Village Board, unless such alteration, removal or demolition
is authorized by formal resolution of the Village Board as necessary for public
health, welfare or safety.
Every owner or agent in charge of an historic structure, historic site
or improvement in an historic district shall keep in good repair all of the
exterior portions of such improvement and all interior portions thereof which,
if not so maintained, may cause or tend to cause the exterior portions of
such improvements to fall into a state of disrepair. This provision shall
be in addition to all other provisions of law requiring such improvement to
be kept in good repair.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall be subject to the penalty provided in §
25.04 of this Code. Each violation and each day a violation continues or occurs shall constitute a separate offense. Notice of violations shall be issued by the Director of Inspection Services.